debundesliga1-3, Exercise 2: Professionalism as a turning point

Model answer:

Open payment ended the hidden-payment system and the temptation for good players to leave for professional leagues abroad. It allowed clubs to employ full-time players and coaches, invest in training and facilities, and plan over a longer period. It also made finance, contracts and wages central to the game, which led to the later debates on ownership and money.

It changed football from a mainly amateur, regional activity into a national professional one. Details should be checked.